Welcome to the jungle: 'Celebrities' descend on Oz ahead of I'm A Celebrity

Last updated at 13:21 09 November 2007

It's a veritable who's who of former soap stars and television personalities, and ex-Hollyoaks star Gemma Atkinson led the list of arrivées who descended on Brisbane, Australia to take part in this year's I'm A Celebrity...Get Me Out of Here which starts on Monday

Former Hollyoaks babe Gemma Atkinson, who is in an on-off relationship with footballer Marcus Bent said after she touched down in Australia: "I'm looking forward to meeting some jungle hunks."

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And when quizzed about how many swimsuits and bikinis the soap star packed, she announced: "You're going to have to wait and see".

Ex-boy band star Jason 'J' Brown – who flew in 30 minutes after the actress – admitted: "Gemma's got some great assets – I'm definitely going to throw myself at anything in there."

As the first stars arrived in Australia for the jungle-based show, producers were keeping fingers crossed that Chris Tarrant's estranged wife would agree to join them.

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With negotiations continuing, ITV bosses have yet to confirm the final line-up - although stars Gemma Atkinson, Marc Bannerman, Jason 'J' Brown from vaguely remembered pop band Five, and John Burton Race have already arrived.

Former Five singer J added: "As for Bushtucker Trials, I'm up for anything. I'll give it all a go. I'll have a nibble on a crocodile's nadger – just as long as it's not an elephant's!"

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When asked why he's appearing on the show, the 50-year-old – whose television shows include French Leave and Return Of The Chef – said: "I've never been to Australia before and I've never camped in my life – this will be an experience."

He promised: "I will be outspoken in the jungle and I will tell people what I think of them if they annoy me. I won't hold back."

But the culinary expert is likely to win over friends in the camp by using his gastronomic skills to help out with the camp chores.

"I would love to cook in camp," he explained.

"I can rustle up a witchety grub casserole for everyone. And I'm looking forward to the culinary delights on offer from the producers – including the kangaroo balls."

This year the names range from the vaguely familiar to the virtually unknown.

There were even wild rumours about Gary Glitter making an appearance, which ITV was forced to deny.

But in truth the personalities lining up for the latest series of the reality show, which starts on Monday, look decidedly Z-list.

They range from a former TV make-over show host (Anna Ryder Richardson), a former soap actress/underwear model who dated a Manchester United footballer (Gemma Atkinson) and a long-forgotten EastEnders actor (Mark Bannerman).

There is also the obligatory "celebrity" whose previous claim to fame was appearing on another reality TV show - Katie Hopkins, who was notoriously caught romping in field with a work colleague after she appeared in The Apprentice. She is believed to be going to the jungle as a stand-by contestant.

And a last-minute panic to complete the line-up has seen ITV bosses desperately trying to persuade Ingrid Tarrant to take part.

Other names likely to make up the list of 14, including standbys, are Prince Andrew's former girlfriend Koo Stark, pantomime actor Christopher Biggins, and Richard and Fred Fairbrass of the group Right Said Fred.

Seventies footballer turned TV pundit Rodney Marsh, PR guru Lynne Franks and Cerys Matthews, singer with the Nineties pop group Catatonia are also in the frame to appear.

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Producers could still make last minute changes but the cast list is believed to be more or less finalised.

Former EastEnders star Bannerman, who played Gianni di Marco in the soap, flew in to Brisbane airport yesterday. Ryder Richardson and Hopkins left Heathrow yesterday and are set to touch down in Australia today.

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Bannerman, whose only TV appearance of note since leaving EastEnders was as a contestant on the doomed Saturday night show Celebrity Wrestling, said: "I'm not looking for love in the jungle - I'm very loved up with my girlfriend Sarah."

He added: "I don't fancy hanging from a helicopter and eating some of the weird things on the Bushtucker Trials like kangaroo testicles and croc willies.'"

The rest of the celebrities are due to arrive in Australia throughout the week for the show which begins on Monday.